Laycock

[Ben the Gooner]

Didn't see the '*'?

I did, but what was the point you were making?

 

[Colin D'Cops]

But Laycock has done something during his four or five years. He has shown the potential to be a very good ruckman. And, he has been a capable back-up to Hille. In the few times he has been given the chance to be number one ruck, he has been quite good. You can't give Laycock the flick if there's no-one better to replace him. If you had the choice between Laycock and Bellchambers in the 22 at the moment, laycock would win every time.

Has shown potential in his four or five years; In some to most cases that's simply not good enough. You have to start showing a little bit more than potential when you've been in the system for that long.

And I agree with your statement that Laycock is better at this stage, never questioned that, but Bellchambers I feel will overtake him in a year or two. And I'm not suggesting we give him the flick just yet, but he'd have to be monitored closely because he is not up to a required standard to have an impact on a game. I hope he can reach them heights this season, but me personally, see much the same if not worse than last year because of his inconsistant preseason. Lets hope he proves me wrong.

 

[Colin D'Cops]

I did, but what was the point you were making?

That I was jumping to conclusions when typing it. Anyhoo, doesn't matter...

 

[loopy_cam]

Most ruckman take a long time to come good.

Hille's first consistently good season was last year, his 8th year at the club. Before that, he was very hit and miss. Good one week and poor the next. Most supporters thought Laycock would overtake him as number one in 2008.

Laycock needs to be given more time.

 

[BringBackCransberg]

Most ruckman take a long time to come good.

Hille's first consistently good season was last year, his 8th year at the club. Before that, he was very hit and miss. Good one week and poor the next. Most supporters thought Laycock would overtake him as number one in 2008.

Laycock needs to be given more time.

I absolutely agree with this.

Additionally, Hille's ability to go forward is often spoken of, but it's something he has only shown relatively recently in his career. Laycock has had that ability almost his whole career. I remember watching him against Richmond last year (the game in which Bowden got himself fatwah'd amongst EFC faithful). I was sitting behind the goals and getting infuriated with his pissweak shuffles of leads. But a couple of times, and many times throughout his career, he has a knack of willing the ball to him inside the 50m arc before he floats into a pack and never looks like dropping it for a second. Followed often by a beautiful set shot. With Gumbleton and Neagle not coming along as quickly as we'd like, and the possibility of Lucas playing a diminished role this season, I'd keep Laycock in the 22 before Bellchambers on his forward ability alone.

 

[Colin D'Cops]

Most ruckman take a long time to come good..

I know, and have acknowledged that previously in this thread.

Hopefully he does come good but IMO, he has looked rather unco when playing and his appetite for the footy stinks. Them things do NOT come with experience. That's natural. Lets hope we can look at this thread and laugh at my predictions & thoughts, because I want two good ruckman together rather soon damnit!

 

[Big Blow Hard]

Most ruckman take a long time to come good.

Hille's first consistently good season was last year, his 8th year at the club. Before that, he was very hit and miss. Good one week and poor the next. Most supporters thought Laycock would overtake him as number one in 2008.

Laycock needs to be given more time.

Hille had shown enough a few years ago to be handed the Captaincy in Lloyds absence. It took along time to become one of the elite rucks in the comp, but he been very servicable for a number of years now. Last years form was not just a sudden improvement.

 

[Colin D'Cops]

Spot on BBH.